City Comparison

Franklin vs Scottsdale

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Franklin

Tennessee
139
Expensive
$750,000
Median Home
$1,850/mo
Median Rent
$118,200
Median Income

Scottsdale

Arizona
123
Expensive
$580,000
Median Home
$2,000/mo
Median Rent
$92,298
Median Income

The Verdict

13.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 13.0%, with Scottsdale being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Franklin has equivalent purchasing power to $66,367 in Scottsdale.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
230
Franklin
162
Scottsdale
Groceries
100
Franklin
103
Scottsdale
Utilities
97
Franklin
96
Scottsdale
Transportation
90
Franklin
103
Scottsdale
Healthcare
91
Franklin
95
Scottsdale

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Franklin has the same purchasing power as $66,367 in Scottsdale.

Conversely, $75,000 in Scottsdale equals $84,756 in Franklin.

Living in Franklin vs Scottsdale

Housing Costs

Franklin's housing index of 230 is higher Scottsdale's 162, translating to median home prices of $750,000 vs $580,000. The $170,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,052 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Franklin compared to $2,000/mo in Scottsdale, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Franklin and 103 in Scottsdale. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Franklin vs $489/month in Scottsdale. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Franklin and 96 in Scottsdale. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Franklin vs $384 in Scottsdale. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 91 in Franklin and 95 in Scottsdale. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $118,200 in Franklin and $92,298 in Scottsdale. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $85,036 and $75,039 respectively. Franklin residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,758/month to housing in Franklin vs $2,154/month in Scottsdale. In Franklin, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Scottsdale, median rent of $2,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 68 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Scottsdale is 13.0% more affordable overall with an index of 123 vs 139.
A $75,000 salary in Franklin has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $66,367 in Scottsdale, based on the cost of living difference.
Franklin's housing index is 230 with median homes at $750,000, while Scottsdale's is 162 with median homes at $580,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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